gypsy, roma and traveller history month 1-30 june 2021
TRANSCRIPT
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month 1-30 June 2021
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During Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, we celebrate the unique and diverse histories, cultures and languages of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the UK and also the remarkable and immense contributions Gypsy, Roma and Traveller individuals and communities bring to wider society.
Travellers’ Times have produced a short video ‘Roads from the Past’1 which provides a brief overview of the histories of some of the largest Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the UK.
This year, our theme for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month is ‘Make Some Space’.
We are asking people across the UK to ‘Make Some Space’ for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in their day to day lives. This will look different for different people, for example:
• If you work at a council, this might mean ensuring there are enough spaces for Gypsies and Travellers to stop in your area, or mapping traditional stopping places throughout history in your area.
• If you are a teacher, this might mean making space in your teaching time to focus on the histories, cultures or present realities of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.
• If you work on TV or in the media, this might mean making some space in TV and film for authentic portrayals of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.
• If you work for a Government organisation, this might mean making some space to consider how your service or area of work could be more inclusive to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.
• This might mean making some space in your day to educate yourself on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller histories and cultures and how to support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people to uphold their rights.
In addition to this, during the last week of GRTHM (from the 23rd - 30th June), there will be a special focus on the theme ‘Proud to Be’. During this week, we’re asking people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities to share reasons why they are proud to be from the community they are from.
We would love for you to take part in our celebrations this June and we hope that in this resource pack you will find the inspiration and information you need to fully participate.
Warmest wishes,
Sarah MannDirector at Friends, Families & Travellers
Ben StroudFriends, Families & Travellers Trustee and Chair to Friends, Families & Travellers Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month Work 2021
Thank you for joining us in celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month!
Every June since 2008, people from across the UK have celebrated Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM). Through celebration, education and raising awareness, GRTHM
helps to tackle prejudice, challenge myths and to amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society.
1. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bhBbMrF8Z0
#MakeSomeSpace#ProudToBe
With thanks to all who contributed to these booklets:
Contents
3 Introduction
4 Key dates for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people throughout history
8 Want to learn some useful words and phrases in Irish Cant?
9 Want to learn some useful words and phrases in Scottish Cant?
10 Want to learn some useful words and phrases in Romani Dialect?
12 Sharing information about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month on social media
Aluna Lepadatu
Chelsea McDonagh
Chris McDonagh
Lucy Hetherington
Luke Wenman
Martin Gallagher
Martina Stipakova
Mattey Mitchell
Maxine Lambert
Mihai Bica
Oein DeBharduin
Robert Dawson and the
Robert Dawson Romany Collection
Rosa Cisneros
Sarah Sweeney
Shamus McPhee
Dr Sindy Joyce
Suzanna King
Terry Green
Tommy Buck
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1600S 1650 1850 1940S
Irish people began to split from the general population around 12 generations ago in the 1600s - ‘an
lucht siúil’ (the walking people) became known for storytelling and
sharing songs from city to city.6
Romany people historically travelled with elaborately made ‘bender tents’. From
1850 onwards, Gypsy Wagons are used to travel, with bender
tents used alongside.
Last known hanging for the crime of being a Gypsy in
Suffolk, England.7
Roma and Sinti people, sometimes called the ‘forgotten victims’ of the Holocaust were
subject to deportation to concentration camps, mass murder and horrific medical
experimentation. Over 200,000 Roma and Sinti were murdered or died as a result of starvation
or disease.8
6. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep421877. https://www.historytoday.com/reviews/gypsies-england8. https://www.hmd.org.uk/learn-about-the-holocaust-and-genocides/nazi-persecution/the-porrajmos/
998AD 1100S 1200S 1500S
People with Roma heritage travelled from northwest India as prisoners,
slaves and soldiers. Theories suggest 60,000 Roma people
were forcibly enlisted to the army of Mahmud of Ghazni and after his death, were expelled from Indian
territories and driven to nomadism.1
Roma people in the territories of modern day Romania were taken as slaves and
forced to work in monasteries, mines and in fields. Slaves were the property of their
owners, bought and sold in their hundreds. It was not until 1856 that the Moldovian and Wallachian Assemblies abolished slavery
within their principalities.3
Ancient laws in Scotland recognise a community of
people called ‘tinklers’ from their occupation as tinsmiths. They are viewed differently to mainstream society, seen to have their own
customs and dialect.2
Romany Gypsies first recorded in England were incorrectly thought to have
travelled from Egypt. In 1530, Henry VIII’s ‘Egyptians Act’ expelled Romany Gypsies
in England.4 In 1554, Queen Mary ruled that being a Gypsy
was punishable by death.5
Key dates for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people throughout history
The rich and diverse histories of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people are largely absent from classrooms, books and museums.The timeline across these pages gives a small glimpse into the international histories of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. There are many different people and groups who fit under the umbrella term ‘Gypsies, Roma and Travellers’ used in society. This can include Roma people, Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers, Scottish Gypsy Travellers, New Travellers, Liveaboard Boaters and Travelling Showpeople.
In the timeline below, we include key dates in history for people of Romany Gypsy, Irish Traveller, Roma and Scottish Gypsy Traveller ethnicities. We include the events below as a starting point for your further reading and learning.
1. https://kopachi.com/articles/a-new-look-at-our-romani-origins-and-diaspora-by-ronald-lee/ 2. https://www.iriss.org.uk/sites/default/files/2017-06/gt-timeline-A4-web.pdf 3. https://romediafoundation.wordpress.com/2014/04/18/roma-slavery-in-the-romanian-territories-a-catch-22-of-history-and-recognition/#:~:text=For%20
almost%20five%20centuries%2C%20Roma,simply%20used%20to%20repay%20debt 4. http://www.nationalgypsytravellerfederation.org/culture-and-history.html 5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z2b36fr/revision/2
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1990S 2000 20082004 / 2007 2017
Roma communities begin seeking asylum in England through the
1990s.
Following expansions of the European Union,
there is an increase in migration of Roma
people to the UK from across Europe.
Irish Travellers are recognised as a distinct ethnic group in Ireland,
and recognised as Ireland’s only indigenous
community.14
Irish Travellers recognised in British law as an ethnic group, following a legal
challenge in court brought by eight individuals refused
service at five pubs in London.
Scottish Gypsy Travellers recognised
as an indigenous ethnic minority group in Britain.13
13. http://bemis.org.uk/docs/gypsy_travellers_in_contemporary_scotland.pdf14. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/travellers-formally-recognised-as-an-ethnic-minority-1.2994309
1940S - 1960S 1963 1976 1982
General adoption of a mechanised caravan,
rather than a horsedrawn wagon.9
Romany Gypsies were recognised in Britain as a distinct ethnic minority
group under the 1976 English Race Relations Act.11
The Report of the Commission on Itinerancy is the first systematic attempt by the Irish government to settle Travellers in Ireland,
aiming to force families off the road, into bricks and mortar
accommodation.10
Germany officially recognise the genocide
of Roma and Sinti people in the Second
World War.12
9. https://www.salford.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/info-for-parents-students-and-teachers/ethnic-minorities-and-travellers/traveller-wagon-project/history-of-wagons-and-wagon-building/
10. http://www.paveepoint.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/AssimilationPolicies.pdf 11. https://minorityrights.org/minorities/romagypsiestravellers/#:~:text=Romany%20Gypsies%20were%20recognized%20as,accorded%20
this%20status%20in%202000. 12. https://www.romarchive.eu/en/roma-civil-rights-movement/sinti-and-roma-federal-republic-germany/
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Want to learn some useful words and phrases in Scottish Cant?Scottish Cant is spoken between Scottish Gypsy Traveller or Nacken people. While there is a standardised strain of Cant, localised dialects mean there are multiple evolutions of the dialect. The language is almost entirely oral and differs between geographical locations or through family and social preferences. The language is constantly evolving. For Scottish Gypsy Travellers, Scottish Cant is often the first language for children, but will be accompanied by other languages used by parents.
Scottish Cant shares greater commonality with Rromanés than with Gaelic languages, revealing the lineage of Scottish Gypsy Travellers from Northern India, with Roma peoples. It is part of the phenomenon of Indic diaspora languages spoken by travelling communities of Indian origin outside India. There are different dialects of Scottish Cant and in Scotland alone, there can be differences in words commonly spoken across the country and differences in spelling between people.
Thank you to our friends who speak Scottish Cant for providing support with these translations.
Want to learn some useful words and phrases in Irish Cant?For Irish Travellers, the language you speak can have varying names according to the family you belong to.Mincéir Thari can be called Shelta, Cant or De Gammon. It is an ancient indigenous language formed using the Ogham technique that gradually developed towards its present form under the pressure of contact with Irish and Hiberno-English. Mincéir means Traveller and Thari means talk, so this might be translated as ‘Traveller talk’.
The closest living language is old Irish, which was spoken in Ireland pre 1200s. While the language is practiced mainly through oral tradition, with very little written history of it, the words for ‘priest’ and ‘God’ shown in old, pre-Christian documents in Ireland show shared lineation between the languages. The language is widely used today and the majority of people who speak it also speak English. There are different dialects of Irish Cant and in Ireland alone, there can be differences in words commonly spoken across the country and differences in spelling between people.
Thank you to Dr Sindy Joyce, Oein DeBharduin and Chris McDonagh for support with these translations.
HOW ARE YOU? Irr ye weel?
WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Sossi tiro nav?
I’M GOOD, THANK YOU
I’m barrie, parruka tute
ONE, TWO, THREE Yeck, dui, trin
MAKE SOME SPACE Budge alang (move over)
I’M PROUD (NOT EMBARRASSED)
TO BE A NACKENI’m nai shaant to
be a Nacken
MY NAME IS...Miro nav si...
I’M DYING FOR A DROP OF TEA
I’m moudin’ fur a toti wichin o’ char
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CUP OF TEA?Irr ye deekin’ fur a
tasseo’ char?
ARE YOU GOOD? Ar munya dil? /Ar munya hu?
WHAT NAME DID YOU TAKE?
Munika Bug astúrt, lit?
I’M GOOD Mydil Tome/Munya
ONE, TWO, THREE Ain, do, tré
MAKE SOME SPACE Crush mier (move over) and Bug mi’dil nomera
(give me room)
I’M PROUD TO BE AN IRISH TRAVELLERMydil Mincéir tashler
MY NAME IS...Mydil munika...
WILL YOU GET ME A CUP OF TEA?
Will ya Bug mi’dil a gusach a weed
TAKE A CUP OF TEA Bug a gushach weed
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WOULD YOU LIKE A CUP OF TEA?
English Romanichal: Komessa lumbas/chai?
Romanian Roma: Kames ekh cuci ciau?
Slovak Roma: Kames teja?
I WOULD LOVE A CUP OF TEAEnglish Romanichal:
Ava, may komava lumbas/chaiRomanian Roma:
Me kamav ekh cuci ciauSlovak Roma: Kamlomas teja
I’M PROUD TO BE ROMA English Romanichal:
Loshalo shom te shom Rom Romanian Roma:
Falma mișto kă sim Rom (male)/ Romni (female)Slovak Roma:
Me som barikano hoj som Rom
MAKE SOME SPACEEnglish Romanichal:
Keren phuv Romanian Roma:
Kăr thanSlovak Roma: De man than
ONE, TWO, THREEEnglish Romanichal:
Yek, doi, trinRomanian Roma:
Ekh, dui, trinSlovak Roma: Jek, duj, trin
I’M PROUD TO BE ROMANYEnglish Romanichal:
Loshalo shom te shom Romano chavo Romanian Roma:
Falma mișto kă sim Rom (male)/ Romni (female)Slovak Roma:
Me som barikani hoj som Romani
Thank you to Mattey Mitchell, Mihai Bica, Aluna Lepadatu and Martina Stipakova for support with these translations.
Want to learn some useful words and phrases in Romani Dialect?Roma, Romany Gypsies, Manuches, Kale and Sinti and people with Roma descent live in various countries across the world. There are more than 10 million people of Romani descent in Europe alone. Romani is a rich family of languages with an Indo-Aryan root. Romani is the only Indio-Aryan language that has been spoken exclusively in Europe since the Middle Ages and whose vocabulary and grammar are related to Sanskrit.
The language used by Romani people is a source of great pride, facilitating the connectivity and communication between people across the world. Nearly all Romani speakers are multilingual (speak another language) and also use the language of the majority population where they live. It is estimated that there are 4.6 million Romani speakers in Europe.There are many different dialects of Romani spoken and in England alone, there can be differences in words commonly spoken in the North and in the South of the country and differences in spelling between people.
HOW ARE YOU? English Romanichal: Sar shan/so keresa?
Romanian Roma: So kăres?
Slovak Roma: Sar sal?
I’M GOOD, THANK YOU English Romanichal:
Shom kushti, palikerava tootRomanian Roma: Mes sim mișto,
nais tukăSlovak Roma:
Laces, Palikerav
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?English Romanichal: So see chiro nav? Romanian Roma: So si kiro anav?Slovak Roma:
Sar pes vicines?
MY NAME IS... English Romanichal:
Murro nav see…Romanian Roma:
Muro anav si...Slovak Roma:
Me pes vicinav…
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Sharing information about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month on social media
This year, we would love to see you harnessing the positive power of social media to raise the profile of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month and to celebrate the contributions people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities have made to your local area.
#MakeSomeSpace #ProudToBe
For the month of June, you can share activities you’re doing as part of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month on social media using this hashtag and use this hashtag to find out what others are doing and how you can be involved.
Use these hashtags to help us shout about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month
#ProudToBe week (23rd - 30th June)
In the last week of June, we’re asking people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities to share reasons why they are proud to be from the community they are from.
Let Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in your staff team and in local communities know that #ProudToBe week is taking place and help them to celebrate in a way that feels comfortable to them.
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Post 1: I’m celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month this June. Are you?
There is so much to learn about the rich histories and cultures of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the UK.
This year the #GRTHM theme is #MakeSomeSpace
Get involved here: www.gypsy-traveller.org/grthm
Post 2: Through celebration and education, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month challenges prejudice and shares the rich and diverse histories of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.
We are going to #MakeSomeSpace in our diary to celebrate #GRTHM
Get involved: www.gypsy-traveller.org/grthm
I’m celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month because…
FRIENDSFAMILIESTRAVELLERS
gypsy-traveller.org
Share your GRTHM cardsTake a picture of you or your team holding our photo card and let people know why you are celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month. There’s a space on the card so you can share why Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month is important to you. You can download our photo card at www.gypsy-traveller.org/grthm or request a copy at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LKZ35YQ.
Don’t forget to tag us!
What can I do right now?Copy and paste the messages below to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
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We work to end racism and discrimination against all Gypsies, Travellers and Roma, and to protect the right
to pursue a nomadic way of life.
Community Base 113 Queens Road Brighton East Sussex BN1 3XG
Telephone 01273 234 777
www.gypsy-traveller.org
Like us on Facebook /FriendsFamiliesandTravellers
Follow us on Twitter @GypsyTravellers
Follow us on Instagram /FriendsFamiliesandTravellers
#MakeSomeSpace#ProudToBe
www.gypsy-traveller.org/grthm